Collapsible card table



g- 4, 1942- E. M. KEAHEY 2,291,967

COLLAPS IBLE CARD TABLE Filed Nov. 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOR/YEM .y I/V VE/VTOE': Qnzce A7. Kev/72 E. M. KEAHEY 2,291,967

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COLLAPSIBLE CARD TABLE Filed Nov. 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 "54 2/ J HTTORIVEK Patented Aug. 4, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE CARD TABLE Eunice M. Keahey, Detroit, Mich.

Application November 20, 1940, Serial No. 366,327

4 Claims. (01. 311-77) It is a well known fact that there are numerous types and designs of card tables, some of which are provided with folding legs, however it would appear that the folding types are usually improperly constructed so that the folding and unfolding operation is awkward, and above all, the tables are not sufficiently rigid and substantial, and frequently the legs collapse prematurely while the table is being used, thus causing discomfort and confusion, thus detracting from the pleasures from such tables.

Realizing the urgent need for an improved card table wherein the legs may be easily folded and likewise released, and being exceedingly sturdy, I have devised a card table having all of the much needed qualities and which may be manufactured so as to be sold upon the market at a price well within the reach of all.

This table is also well adapted for the break fast table, trailer tables, refreshment and lawn tables as well as being most desirable as a card table.

With the foregoing in mind, it will become readily apparent that the invention possesses further advantages, all of which will be clearly revealed during the course of the following detailed description, illustrated throughout the accompanying drawings, and more fully pointed out in the appended claims.

With reference to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the complete invention with the socket members in dotted formation, and showing the legs normally folded when not in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the table shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a reduced perspective view of the table ready for use.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the legs standing upright; and Figure 5 i a similar view showing a portion of the leg in a folded position.

Figure 6 is a superenlarged front elevation of one of the principal socket members.

Figure '7 is an enlarged elevation of the lower portion of one of the legs.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section taken upon line 88 of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a similar section taken upon line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a sectional enlargement taken upon line I0l0 of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional assembly taken at the position of ll-ll of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is an enlarged bottom view of the king bolt.

Figure 13 is a plan view taken at the position of line l3-I3 of Figure 11, and showing the king bolt turned at 45 degrees from the position as indicated in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a superenlarged section of a portion of one of the side rail and table top construction.

Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the position of line l5l5 of Figure 1.

In further. carrying out the invention, the same comprises top I to which is secured side rails 2, and referring to Figure 14 it is seen that said top is recessed into rails 2 at each corner of the table as at 3. It is also noted that the outer edge of the table is broken as at 4. Top I and rails 2 may be composed of any suitable material, but preferably of wood. The bottom edge of rails 2 is broken as at 5.

With particular reference to Figures 11 and 13, it is clear that a king bolt is provided and has lower plain shank B being adapted to rotatably engage recess 1 within top I, said bolt having externally threaded shank 8 to receive nut 9. The main body of the bolt has square portion l0 which terminates at its upper end to flange II, and it is seen in Figure 12 that said flange is formed at 45 degrees from the position of portion ID, the purpose of which will be presently explained.

King bolt supporting member I2 is provided and is secured to the bottom of top I by suitable screws 13, and still referring to Figures 11 and 13, and also Figure 1, it is noted that braces 14 are provided so as to reenforce member l2 in a diagonal manner, one end of said braces being connected to the respective socket members [5 as at l6, and the opposite end of said braces being connected to member l2. The connecting joints of braces 14 may be effected by welding or in any other approved method.

Four suitable legs are arranged, and each of said legs is composed of channel shape body I! Which is pivoted to bolt or rivet l8, said body tapering gracefully and terminating at its lower portion in tubular end I9, and the end thereof being closed as clearly shown in Figure 7.

Portion [9 of one of the diagonally opposed pairs of legs is held by flange H of the king bolt in one direction, and the remaining pair of legs are held in another direction beneath the firstnamed legs and the pairs are in diagonal relation with respect to each other and table top I,

at all times when the legs are folded as in Figures 1 and 11.

When it is desired to release all of the legs finger hold of rod 2! is manually pulled slight- 1y outward simultaneously rotating the king bolt until flange H is turned at 45 degrees from the position as in Figure 11. In Figure 15 it is clear that channel member 22 is provided and is secured to top I by screws 23, also spring 24 is held upon rod 2| by washer 25. The opposite end of rod 2! has ring 26 engaging screw eye 21, and said screw eye threadedly engaging king bolt body II! as shown more particularly in Figure 13.

Upon releasing of finger hold 2!) spring 24 willautomatically return the king bolt from the position of Figure 13 to the position of Figure 11. When the legs are released in the manner just described, they will instantly and automatically fly to the table top supporting position and are locked in the following manner:

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it is clear that a locking unit is provided for each leg, said unit is an outstanding feature of the invention.

It provides maximum rigidity and strength, and

provides a brace more substantial than the conventional hinged braces, and comprises brace 28 which is pivoted to cross pin 29, said pin is riveted to the sides of portion ll of the leg. Coil spring 30 is provided and one end thereof bears upon brace 28 as at 3!, and, the opposite end of sa d spring bears upon the inner part of le portion I! as at 32, said spring being held in place by pin 29.

The opposite end of arm or brace 28 is provided with notch 33 which is adapted to engage the end of bolt 34, and referring to Figure 10 it is clear that bolt 34 is threaded into L member 35 and is supported at the opposite end by upwardly extending portion 36 of brace [4.

In Figure 5, a partial view of the leg is shown folded and brace 28 being normally disconnected, while in Figure 4 said brace is shown as having e gaged bolt 36.

When it is desired to fold the legs so as to store the table when not in use, the king bolt will be in the position as shown in Figure 11, braces 28 being disengaged from the respective bolts 34, the legs now being freely pivoted end portion [9 thereof are manually forced over flange ll of said bolt, and in so doing, the legs will spring into engagement with said flange, thereby retaining all legs folded as in Figure 11, and the legs will remain in this position until manually released by finger hold 20 in Figure 15.

With reference to the springing feature of the legs in the next preceding paragraph, this is accomplished by virtue of the tapering length of the legs, and being held at their pivoting end and the opposite end thereof being freely disposed, as clearly indicated in Figure 1.

In Figure 6, wherein one of the principal socket members is shown, apertures 31 within side wings 15A are provided so as to accommodate screws (not shown) by which the socket members are secured to rails 2, said socket members havin abutment members 38 adapted to receive the upper end of leg portion H.

In Figure 1 it is seen that the wood in the mitering connection at the respective corners of rails 2 is out in socket-like fashion so as to receive portion 11' of the leg as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and fitting snugly therein, in a manner as taught by the dotted lines in the four corners of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 I claim as new is:

1. In a collapsible card table, the combination with a table having a top with rails secured to its respective sides, also having quadruplex legs, means including socket members for pivoting said legs to the respective intersecting corners of said rails, means for retaining said legs in a collapsed or folded position; the lower portion of each of said legs being substantially round in cross section; the last-named means comprising a king bolt having a square body, a square flange formed upon the top of said body and at 45 degrees in relation to the body, said body having a reduced externally threaded shank and a further reduced and plain round shank being adapted to rotatably engage a counterbore or recess Within the bottom surface of aforesaid table top, a king bolt supporting member and means for securing said member to the bottom of said table top, the externall threaded shank of said bolt passing freely through said member and the bolt being retained upon the member by a nut engaging the last-named shank; the lower portion of one pair of aforesaid legs resting upon said member and the lower portion of the remaining pair of legs resting upon the first-named legs in diagonal relation and aforesaid flange holding the lower portion of the last-named pair of legs; manually operated means for rotatably turning said king bolt approximately 45 degrees with respect to its body and thus releasing said legs, said last-named means comprising a rod connected to the king bolt for pivoting the latter, and the opposite end of said rod having a finger-hold, a channel member secured to the bottom of said table top and spring means associated with said rod and channel member whereby the king bolt will instantly and automatically return to its normal position, also means extending between the king bolt supporting member and the socket members for diagonally reenforcing the supporting member.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which the said legs are pivoted in said sockets and the pivoted ends thereof are held against movement therein except in one direction, the said legs being made of a springable material so that the free ends having the round cross section may be moved out of their normal planes and cammed over the square flange of the king bolt when the legs are being collapsed.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which the leg supporting sockets are provided with abutment member adapted to engage the table legs adjacent the pivot points, and means adapted to engage the king bolt supporting member reinforcing means, there being means also for forcing the said legs against said abutment members when the table is in use.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, in which the leg supporting sockets are provided with abutment members adapted to engage the table. legs adjacent the pivot points, and means adapted to engage the king bolt supporting member reinforcing means, there being means also for forcing the said legs against said abutment members when the table is in use, said last named means including a spring actuated curved arm.

EUNICE M. KEAHEY. 

